Could Mayo be our pick ? With article.

[HeatSince88]

I was pretty awesome in 6th grade too.

Riley should pick me.

[CaliHeat]

O.J. Mayo and Dwyane Wade are night and day in terms of athletiscm and explosiveness.

Wade's first step >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mayo's Life.

Michael Redd can shoot better than Wade, and can score with the best of them. That doesn't mean he's even close to being the same caliber of player.

Mayo's true lack of explosivness will deter him from being truly GREAT in my honest opinion. He is perfectionist and is a darn good shooter from range, and commits to defense, and is unselfish. Which is why he'd probably be my top guy had we had fell out of the top 2,


But his upside isn't even close to what Beasley or Rose is. I mean not even close. Let's not kid ourselves.

Mayo tends to be overhyped a bit, since he's been a household name since Junior High. But when he hit USC, he was good and showed alot, but he wasn't THAT good. He was no "B-Easy". And he was no Derrick "Pooh" Rose. That's for damn sure.

I think Mayo can be about as good as Brandon Roy(similiar skillset). Very good player, and a top shooting/off guard in the league. But never close to being a true superstar.

Pretty much my thoughts exactly.

Mayo doesnt have elite athleticism which will hurt him in the NBA. Mayo does compare his game to Derron Williams in an interview on draft express but I dont think he is the overall pure PG that Williams is.

I like the Chauncey Billups comparison more than Brandon Roy though.

[Gerald3Wallace]

for people doubting....just watch, oj mayo WILL BE the best player in this years draft.

[miami heat 28]

it's funny how some people say he lacks athletisism

just go to youtube and watch his effortless athletisism.

very fluid.

he has that type of ablility where his athletisism is deceptive.

you can measure his vert or running time or how much he can bench.
he problably won't be among the best.

but when it comes to gametime kinda like jerry rice was in football.
he takes his athletisism to another level.
all of the sudden he is real fast jumps out of the gym and is strong.

[pramis123]

I am still stuck on his assist to turnover ratio while at USC and trying to figure out how that performance traslates to being a successfull PG in the NBA.

[miami heat 28]

well those are things you get better at...
give him 2years and he will grow in every aspect of the game.

he has that natural type of talent which is rare.

which i think pat riley also believes.

[Gerald3Wallace]

I am still stuck on his assist to turnover ratio while at USC and trying to figure out how that performance traslates to being a successfull PG in the NBA.

u gotta see the video where he said at usc, he was told by the coach that he has to have the ball in his hands...and he was also told he has to be the main scorer...so he was basically playing the 2 guard...

[girlygirl]

I live in L.A. so saw Mayo play a lot this season. He's a terrific talent, but IMO he is a shooting guard/combo guard -- NOT a point guard. His assist to turnover ratio was atrocious, but more than that, he makes poor decisions with the ball in his hands a lot --forcing way too many plays -- either with poor shot selection or trying to make too fancy a pass when a simple one would be much more effective.

Also, I think if a team tries to force him to try and be more of a traditional pass-first PG it would take away from his ability as a scorer. I believe he can play some PG in the NBA, but I also believe it would be a big mistake to try and make him a full-time 1.

Wade would likely be far better off playing with Beasley and a veteran PG who may not have Mayo's upside as a scorer but who is already adept at running an offense and being the primary ballhandler/playmaker.

[Hoops23]

I don't understand why some fans worry about Riley taking Mayo with our pick.

If you're a long time follower of the Heat, you will observe that Riley often love playing mind games.

I believe he is doing this for teams to talk to him and check the good offer, and at the end I'm sure he will choose the best offer or decline if he thinks its not worth doing.

He mentioned Mayo and maybe he wants some teams at #3 to #6 position to talk to him about a trade for one of our player for their pick. Maybe Marion and Banks for #6 and expiring contracts.

[DayofMourning]

I don't understand why some fans worry about Riley taking Mayo with our pick.

If you're a long time follower of the Heat, you will observe that Riley often love playing mind games.

I believe he is doing this for teams to talk to him and check the good offer, and at the end I'm sure he will choose the best offer or decline if he thinks its not worth doing.

He mentioned Mayo and maybe he wants some teams at #3 to #6 position to talk to him about a trade for one of our player for their pick. Maybe Marion and Banks for #6 and expiring contracts.

Right on the money. Don't worry about Riley's mind games people, because most, if not all, of this info being leaked is part of Riley's master plan.

I'm 95% sure Riley is looking to trade Marion to a team high in the lottery. Marion's contract would kill our chances in '09 or '10 of getting an "A" grade player if he is resigned. By trading him for a big expiring contract and a draft pick (NY is my favorite for this) then he adds a possible star to the roster while getting ahead of the game on cap space. It's the same reason I don't see him going after Hinrich. Too much money paid to a "good" player, not great. Riley likes to hit home runs, not singles or doubles.

[BBallFreak]

I don't see any team at the top of the draft looking to take on Marion at the expense of their pick. It's not logical, IMO. No one is close enough to contention for that to actually make any sense for them.

[DayofMourning]

I don't see any team at the top of the draft looking to take on Marion at the expense of their pick. It's not logical, IMO. No one is close enough to contention for that to actually make any sense for them.

I'm banking on the Knicks.

[Lane1974]

especially the Knicks, unless they had a bone for Marion...and the scuttlebutt out of Phoenix was that D'Antoni was the one who pushed the owner for the Shaq for Marion deal, Kerr had to have his arm twisted on it

[DayofMourning]

especially the Knicks, unless they had a bone for Marion...and the scuttlebutt out of Phoenix was that D'Antoni was the one who pushed the owner for the Shaq for Marion deal, Kerr had to have his arm twisted on it

My dreams would most likely be granted 2 years ago, but you're right, the Knicks will most definitely have a different approach to player acquisition after their front office overhaul.

[Dexmor]

Seriously they should either just draft Mayo or trade the 2nd pick for the 3rd pick and and Ryan Gomes and maybe another player.
Mayo is gonna be just as good as Beasley imo. He is destined to have a great individual career and is basically on a Wade's level. Just like Wade who went 5th he will go 3rd-5th and people will look back and say how?
With Mayo and Wade in the backcourt they would be unstoppable. Haslem may not be a guy you can throw the ball to and get out of his way but with Marion up front Haslem is the perfect hustle jumpshooting pf.
All they would need to do to become a championship team would be to get a Nened Kristic type post scorer which is possible. If they get Gomes they can even trade Haslem for a scoring big.
Mayo and Wade are both about 6'4 both combo guards and the weakness of Wade is the stength of Mayo and the vice versa. Wade can get to the hoop at will and is super athletic but can't shoot all that well from 18 foot or further and Mayo might not be able to get to the hoop against anybody like Wade but he can always get his shot off and hit the 15-18 foot jumper at will. They will always have a height advantage at the point and always have a speed advantage at the 2. They would never ever have to worry about either of them not being a real pg or breaking down from taking up the ball because they can switch off.

It's also possible that the Wolves would give up Brewer in the deal and maybe even McCants and the Heat can package them with Cook for a decent Center.
They might even give there pick next year which should still be a high pick even if they get Beasley.

Of course if for some reason the Heat can switch for the #1 pick and get Rose that is the better option but I think Mayo would be the second best option for them. They would also be rich because Mayo will be like Wade and not just getting 26 points be he will be one of the most marketable players in the league and when you have 2 of them Wade and Mayo you surely will have the highest Jersey sales and the Heat will probably be able to be like the Knicks and spend 80 million a season and still make a prophit and if you guys don't think that has value your wrong.

[miami heat 28]

one of the main reason's i like mayo over rose is because,
it let's wade still be the main playmaker while having somebody
that has a solid mid range game and can hit the 3pt.

there is more options as an offense with mayo's shooting abilility.

the last thing we need is to wait on a player to develop a jump shot.
those types of players sometimes will always be inconsistent.

what does the heat lack defense and outside shooting.

mayo provides both and he does both things better then rose.

oj mayo...all the way #32(no retired jersey for shaq lol...

[Miami's Finest]

I agree Mayo fits better with Wade. With Wade and Rose we would have two guys who are at their best with the ball in their hands and prefer to drive than take the shot. Mayo has a great shot, and fills the need for a scorer when Wade is out or not on his game. But Beasley fills the need for a post presence, a great scorer and would play off Wade nicely. Wish we could be like the Sonics last year and trade to get two players in the top five (Durant and Green) and land Beasley and Mayo.

[CoolD]

I agree Mayo fits better with Wade. With Wade and Rose we would have two guys who are at their best with the ball in their hands and prefer to drive than take the shot. Mayo has a great shot, and fills the need for a scorer when Wade is out or not on his game. But Beasley fills the need for a post presence, a great scorer and would play off Wade nicely. Wish we could be like the Sonics last year and trade to get two players in the top five (Durant and Green) and land Beasley and Mayo.

So going by your observation. Wade would play better with Michael Redd, than with Deron Williams. I take Deron and Wade over Wade Michael Redd combo.

[Miami's Finest]

-= original quote snipped =-

So going by your observation. Wade would play better with Michael Redd, than with Deron Williams. I take Deron and Wade over Wade Michael Redd combo.

Well Deron is a PG, Redd is not. Deron can also hit the outside shot, which is important to playing with Wade. Wade and Rose both play similar games, are at their best when they have the ball and driving and questionable outside shots. I would still be happy with Rose but it's just one concern I have with that backcourt. I like Wade as the playmaker and with guys like Mayo that can shoot it's important.

[Hoops23]

especially the Knicks, unless they had a bone for Marion...and the scuttlebutt out of Phoenix was that D'Antoni was the one who pushed the owner for the Shaq for Marion deal, Kerr had to have his arm twisted on it

This is a news to me.

I heard its Mr Arison who called the Suns owner for the trade. And since Marion's attitude, who doesn't like to be the 3rd option on the team and the lack and demand high price contract extension made it easy for Kerr to trade him. Thats what I've heard. I also heard the trade made the decision for D'Antoni to leave Phoenix.

A report from NY, its says D'Antoni wants to add his former players. Banks and Marion to NY is possible, depending what offer we're getting.